Governor approves bill boosting veteran suicide tracking

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation boosting the state’s tracking of veteran suicides as part of an effort to prevent additional deaths.

The bill signed Wednesday requires the state Health Services Department to develop a comprehensive yearly report on veteran suicides. That information will be used to help develop policies that can assist veterans at risk of suicide.

Ducey says in a statement that Republican Rep. Jay Lawrence’s bill is needed to help understand the issues that lead to veteran suicide.

The governor’s proposed budget for the coming year includes a $1.2 million appropriation to help pay for an ongoing statewide effort to prevent suicides by connecting military members and veterans with needed services. The program known as “Be Connected” has been funded by the federal government.